Portable log skidder

Abstract

A device for picking up and hauling a log or similar object and a method for its use are disclosed. The device is capable of picking up one end of the log and dragging the log behind it, but is also capable of picking up the entire log off the ground. The device can be anchored to and pulled behind a small vehicle, such as an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or utility vehicle (UTV), or behind a large vehicle such as a car or truck. The device uses no winches or hydraulics that could break or wear out, and lifts and holds the log solely using levers and chains as attachment points. The device is able to maneuver over rugged terrain and is also able to be towed at high speeds on a road.

I claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus for lifting an object, comprising:
 a lower body comprising a first leg and a second leg; and 
 an upright support comprising a first leg, a second leg, and a crossbar connecting 
 the first leg and second leg, further comprising at least one attachment point; and 
 an arm, 
 
       wherein
 the lower body is attached in a movable position to the upright support, and 
 the arm is attached in a movable position to the lower body and directly or indirectly 
 attached in a movable position to the upright support such that
 (i) the legs of the lower body and the legs of the upright support are substantially perpendicular when the arm is substantially parallel to the legs of the lower body and, 
 (ii) the angle between legs of the lower body and the legs of the upright support is larger than the angle between the legs of the lower body and the arm when the angle between the legs of the lower body and the arm is greater than 90 degrees. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , where the lower body further comprises a crossbar connecting the first leg and second leg. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , where the arm comprises a first leg, a second leg, and a crossbar connecting the first leg and second leg. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first leg and second leg of the lower body have one or more attachment point. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a tongue attached to the crossbar of the lower body. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a trailer hitch attached to the tongue. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising wheels connected to the legs of the lower body. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the attachment point between the upright support and the lower body is a pin. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said pin also forms the connection between the wheels and the legs of the lower body. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lower body, the upright support, and the arm are connected by two four-bar linkages. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus does not comprise a winch or hydraulics. 
     
     
       12. A method of lifting an object comprising:
 (i) positioning the apparatus of  claim 1  over the object such that the object is between the first leg and second leg of the lower body; and 
 (ii) moving the arm such that the angle between the legs of the lower body and the arm is greater than 90 degrees; and 
 (iii) positioning a first flexible fastener under the object and attaching the flexible fastener to an attachment point of the upright support; and 
 (iv) moving the arm such that the arm is substantially parallel to the legs of the lower body and the object is suspended from an attachment point of the upright support. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , further comprising wrapping a second flexible fastener under the object and attaching the second flexible fastener to the first and second legs of the lower body. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the apparatus of  claim 1  is attached to a vehicle and further comprising towing the apparatus of  claim 1  behind the vehicle. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 moving the arm such that the angle between the legs of the lower body and the arm is greater than 90 degrees; and 
 (ii) detaching the first flexible fastener from the crossbar of the upright support and reattaching the first flexible fastener to the crossbar of the upright support so as to remove any slack from between the object and the upright support. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the apparatus of  claim 1  is attached to a vehicle and further comprising moving the arm such that the arm is substantially parallel to the legs of the lower body and towing the apparatus of  claim 1  behind the vehicle. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 15 , further comprising
 (i) placing a third flexible fastener over the object and attaching it to the first leg and second leg of the lower body, and 
 (ii) moving the arm such that the arm is substantially parallel to the legs of the lower body. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , wherein the apparatus of  claim 1  is attached to a vehicle and further comprising towing the apparatus of  claim 1  behind the vehicle. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , where the vehicle is an ATV. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the object is a log.